Monday, June 24, 2013

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

A must for Cat Stevens fans and for anyone interested in the great pop musicians of the 70's.

In 1976, "Majikat" became Cat Stevens' final tour. The release by Audio Fidelity of this classic album on our "Live on Vinyl" series is a great reminder of just how successful, talented, innovative and influential Cat Stevens is. The album features 20 of his biggest hits, his best known and most loved creations

This 2-LP set is definitely an artist at the peak of his career. “Majikat” is a testament to a classic artist whose music endures and influences even today. Full of a mature yearning for spiritual truth and a deep compassion for humanity, as well as a strong sense of humor, all wrapped up in great melodies. This is the first time the music from this tour has ever been available on vinyl.

1977's, In Color is Cheap Trick's second album release and the songs and music are as impressive as the band's debut. Melodic, gritty, and just a rockin' good time, the record is one of rock's best ever sets of lip-smacking, hip-shaking, guitar-driven, harmony-coated super-songs.

The album contains the studio version of "I Want You To Want Me" that would go on to become one of their biggest hits a few years later when it was released on the "At Budakon" album, along with four other tracks from this record ("Hello There," "Big Eyes," "Clock Strikes Ten" and "Come On, Come On") and these original versions have all the energy of that classic live set.

Producer Tom Werman understood the band's pop dynamic and brought out the best in the individual members - this is pop/rock written and performed by young adults and it's as close to perfection as pop-metal/power-pop gets. Aside from the craftsmanship, the album has genuine heart and a fun attitude. Cheap Trick is a band that never took itself too seriously as famously illustrated on the gatefold LP jacket with pretty-boys, singer Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson, looking cool in full color astride motorcycles on the front cover while the geek-squad, drummer Bun E. Carlos and guitarist Rick Nielsen, rest on motor bikes, in black and white and upside-down, on the back.

The album includes the band's celebrated epic rendition of Tomorrow Never Knows.

This is the Vinyl 180 audiophile double vinyl version of the album, which has been remastered and pressed on 180gm vinyl with heavyweight gatefold sleeve and comes with newly designed inner bags and a different track order from previous editions.

A stunning, Psychedelically inclined Progressive Jazz Rock album, Mainstream was recorded 4 years after the band's break-up during the night-shift sessions for Manzanera's debut solo album, Diamond Head.

Occasionally echoing the styles of early Soft Machine, Pink Floyd and King Crimson, and hinting at the ambition of the 801 project to come, Mainstream is the only remaining legacy of this great 'lost' British band.

This is the Vinyl 180 audiophile double vinyl version of the album, which has been remastered and pressed on 180gm vinyl with heavyweight gatefold sleeve and comes with newly designed inner bags and the extra tracks included on the deluxe cd edition.

Red is the fourth in a series of audiophile King Crimson vinyl reissues.
Newly cut from masters approved by Robert Fripp, this super-heavyweight 200gm vinyl re-issue is housed in a reprint of the original sleeve and contains bonus MP3 codes giving access to a download of a transfer of an original 1974 pressing (Robert Fripp's personal file copy).

One of the most powerful and influential albums in the band's remarkable career.

40TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION 7” PICTURE DISC SINGLE OF ‘LIFE ON MARS ’ Following the announcement of the Record Store Day release of a limited edition ‘Drive-In Saturday’ picture disc, EMI will release a 40th anniversary limited edition 7” picture disc of David Bowie’s iconic ‘Life On Mars ’ single. Originally appearing on the Hunky Dory album, ‘Life On Mars ’ was released as a single on 22nd June, 1973 on RCA – reaching #3 in the UK - when Bowie’s career had gone stratospheric following the huge success of his The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and Aladdin Sane albums and tours. This 40th anniversary release features the rare Ken Scott mix, mixed by the producer at Abbey Road Studios in 2003 (that created the Ziggy Stardust 5.1 mixes) of the single on the A-side and is b/w the AA-side ‘Life On Mars (Live)’ taken from a recording at The Music Hall, Boston on 1st October, 1972’, previously only available on the 2 CD 30th Anniversary Edition of Aladdin Sane. Both sides feature photos from legendary photographer Mick Rock: the A-side, a photo from the era-defining ‘Life On Mars ’ promo film, which the photographer also directed; the AA-side a photo from the Music Hall, Boston concert. Packaging: 7” Picture Disc Vinyl housed in a poly-sleeve.

Following the Record Store Day release of the limited edition ‘Starman’ 7” picture disc, on 4rd September EMI will release a 40th anniversary limited edition 7” picture disc of David Bowie’s ‘John, I’m Only Dancing’.

Originally released September 1st 1972 and then re-recorded January 20, 1973 during the Aladdin Sane sessions, in a slightly different arrangement featuring Ken Fordham on Saxophone, this limited edition picture disc vinyl contains both versions!